The exploration of the global issue of child poverty begins with the map showing the varying levels of childhood poverty around the world. The colour scale used allows for easy identification of the poverty level in different areas on the map. From this map, it can be seen that the worst areas for childhood poverty are those in Sub-Saharan Africa. Other areas outside of this region that also have high levels of poverty include Mexico and Afghanistan. The country with the lowest child poverty level in 2020 is Malaysia, with just 0.43% of children living in poverty. In South Sudan, nearly 85% of children are living in poverty, so by comparing this with the level in Malaysia, the varying severity of child poverty can be seen.
Children in Need
Childhood Poverty around the World
Introduction
The issue of childhood poverty has plagued the world for thousands of years. Even today, in the 21st century, millions of children are still living in poverty around the world. Childhood poverty arises when there is a lack of essential resources available that are required to raise a child. The poverty line is dependent on each country, and it represents the minimum level of income that is seen to be adequate to survive off. This report examines the issue of childhood poverty using key data from unicef. This report examines the issue of childhood poverty using key data from UNICEF. This report explores the relationships and connections that can be drawn between children living in poverty and other key metrics, like:
- Life Expectancy
- GDP per Capita
GDP and Childhood Poverty
Next, we delve into the relationship between GDP per capita and child poverty in countries around the world. GDP per capita represents the economic output of individuals in a particular country. This time series shows the GDP per capita trends of nations over twenty years.
This scatterplot examines the link between the GDP per capita and the prevalence of child poverty across countries. Countries with a high level of child poverty also demonstrate a lower GDP per capita. There are of course some exceptions, for example, the Seychelles has a very high GDP per capita, but also has 42.02% of children living below the poverty line.
Life Expectancy and Childhood Poverty
The second scatterplot explores the correlation between child poverty and life expectancy. In the majority of cases, countries with a high level of childhood poverty, tend to have lower life expectancies. For instance, South Sudan, which has the highest levels of child poverty, had a life expectancy of 55.48 years. Chad had the lowest life expectancy of just over 52 years, but also suffers with high levels of poverty, with 45.19% of children living below the poverty line. On the other hand, in countries with lower levels of poverty, the life expectancy is longer, highlighting the significance of childhood conditions on longevity.
The following bar charts show the average life expectancy in African Countries in the years 2000 - 2020. Each chart represents the data from one year, and any gaps are where data is not available. The bars in each chart are organised in descending order, from highest to lowest life expectancy. The information provided in these bar charts provide insights into the evolution of life expectancy since the turn of the millenium.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this report provides an insight into a pressing global issue. Childhood poverty continues to exist all around the world, even in developed countries. The severity of the issue is shown in the various visualisations above, through the examination of the key trends relating to childhood poverty. From the data examined, it is clear that there is a level of interdependence between child poverty, GDP per capita and life expectancy; with high poverty levels often associated with low life expectancy and lower levels of GDP per capita.Behind each data point is a child that has been failed by society, and the first step in combating this issue is understanding it. This report aids with the understanding of global childhood poverty, so one day we can hope to live in a world where every child can thrive.